While blockbuster trades have become the norm during the new league year, the NFL free agency wheel has started to slow down over the past few days. As the open market begins its second wave, the remaining players will lower their prices and focus more on immediate opportunities with short-term deals.
Projected contracts and landing spots for top remaining free agents
While most teams are scouring the trade market for upgrades, free agency still has some notable players left unsigned. With the market slowing down, players can focus more on roles than cash, looking to boost their value for another bite at the free agency apple.
Below are projected contracts and landing spots for each of the top remaining free agents based on PFN Lead NFL Analyst Dalton Miller’s Top 100 Rankings.
S Tyrann Mathieu
Projected Contract: 1 year, $8 million
Logical Landing Spots: Eagles, Broncos, Jaguars
The well has run dry for Mathieu, who hasn’t been much of headline-maker as of late. While he still makes a ton of sense for the Eagles, the Jaguars could look to make a short-term deal with a high price point. Mathieu is likely to take a one-year contract as he did with the Houston Texans a few years back.
DE Jadeveon Clowney
Projected Contract: 1 year, $14 million
Logical Landing Spots: Lions, Panthers, Chiefs
Every year, Clowney tends to wait things out in favor of a one-year deal. Why should this offseason be any different? After posting 9 sacks with the Browns last season, look for Clowney to pick up his bags and move to the highest bidder.
CB Stephon Gilmore
Projected Contract: 1 year, $13 million
Logical Landing Spots: Texans, Colts, Chargers
Gilmore, like Clowney, wants to be paid like a top player at his position. However, on the wrong side of 30, Gilmore — while still fantastic — isn’t likely to see that money on a long-term deal. He needs to decide if he wants money or wins with the market’s current setup.
WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Projected Contract: 1 year, $8 million
Logical Landing Spots: Rams, Chargers
Despite trading away Robert Woods, the Rams landed some negotiation leverage with Beckham by adding Allen Robinson to the fold. Beckham is coming off a torn ACL and is likely to miss a good chunk of next season. A one-year hometown deal makes sense for both sides.
OT Duane Brown
Projected Contract: 1 year, $8.5 million
Logical Landing Spots: Colts, Texans, Seahawks
At 36, Brown has entered the Andrew Whitworth phase of his career. Like Whitworth, Brown should try to navigate his career on an annual or bi-annual basis. Whitworth averaged $8.5 million on his last deal, which makes sense for the aging Brown.
TE Rob Gronkowski
Projected Contract: 2 years, $18.5 million
Logical Landing Spots: Buccaneers
The projected deal above is the same contract that Gronkowski signed last time with the Buccaneers. With Tom Brady back, Gronk has little reason to leave Tampa Bay.
DE Justin Houston
Projected Contract: 1 year, $2 million
Logical Landing Spots: Patriots, Ravens, Chiefs
Houston is nearing the end of his storied career, and the only way to make sense of sticking around is to play for a contender. Houston should chase a ring with a top team in the AFC and forget about cash.
DE Jerry Hughes
Projected Contract: 1 year, $5 million
Logical Landing Spots: Patriots, Saints, Cowboys
Hughes is in a similar situation to Houston, though he’s been a bit more productive over the past few years. Hughes is likely to leave the Buffalo Bills to become a rotational pass rusher elsewhere. The Cowboys seem like a logical fit.
DT Akiem Hicks
Projected Contract: 1 year, $6 million
Logical Landing Spots: Giants, Jets, Commanders
While Hicks isn’t the disruptor he once was, he can still be a very impactful rotational piece within a defensive front. A team like the Giants or Commanders could use his presence up front as they look to rebuild their defense.
DE Melvin Ingram
Projected Contract: 1 year, $5 million
Logical Landing Spots: Cowboys, Buccaneers, Giants, Patriots
Similar to Hughes, Ingram is entering the late-stage rotational piece phase of his career. He would make a lot of sense for the Patriots and Buccaneers as they look to find short-term fixes up front.
